We all know Britain is an island nation, but you might not realise that England alone has over 6000 miles of coastline, and you’re never more than 70 miles from the sea; therefore, there’s certainly no shortage of seaside destinations!
The coast is widely varied in terms of terrain, accommodating both those who seek out sandy beaches and others who prefer a rugged, rocky coastline, but personally, I’m not as fussed about the beach itself as the attractions surrounding it.
I do love the classic British seaside experience, but beyond that, I look for seaside towns with a unique twist that somehow sets them apart from their coastal cousins. If you’re after sunbathing, then look elsewhere (probably somewhere not in England would be a good bet!) – this is an article for those who share my interest in an unusual and entertaining coastal excursion!
1. Southwold on Sea
Southwold on Sea, Suffolk: My absolute favourite seaside attraction has to be the Under the Pier show in Southwold. This “penny” arcade (though everything costs from 10p to a pound) comes from the wonderfully bizarre mind of Tim Hunkin, a local artist and engineer who was given free rein with Southwold’s modest pier, with amazing results.
In this arcade, every game is just a little bit mad, like riding a fly through a kitchen, whilst avoiding being swatted; diving beneath the sea in the patented “Bathyscape” with surprising special effects; and a humble “Walk the Dog” machine (with the adorable robotic dog “Dotty”).
Even the games that look simple are unlike anything you’ve ever played before! Tim’s work extends out onto the boardwalk, with sculptures, a clock – even the telescopic viewers benefit from Tim’s whimsical touch. The rest of Southwold’s seafront is a pleasant, if unremarkable beach, but the Under the Pier show is not to be missed!
2. Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk: Great Yarmouth has long been home to a thriving herring industry (the local cold-smoked herring are known as “bloaters”), and also has an extensive pier and series of funfairs. There’s not much to distinguish the seafront from any other resort town, other than the sheer size of it (it stretches on for miles, with chippies and ice cream shops as far as the eye can see), but an episode of Keeping up Appearances was filmed here, and the rides have remained unchanged since the ’90s, so you can recreate Hyacinth’s experience (if you provide your own old man with busy hands).
I also kind of dig the old-fashioned penny arcade (this one actually does take pennies, but they’re old-timey ones that you have to exchange 20ps for) hidden along the boardwalk. But there’s also history to be found here; Nelson was once a resident, and the town is now home to the Nelson Museum. In addition to this, there’s the Time and Tide Museum, located in a former herring processing plant where the authentic smells linger on and you’ll learn more about herring than you ever wanted to know, as well as details of the town’s fascinating history, including the first Zeppelin attacks of WWI.
3. Blakeney Point
Blakeney Point, Norfolk: Blakeney Point is the place to visit if you want to see seals. Common and Grey Seals both congregate here, and have their pups have different times of year, so you’ve got pretty good odds of seeing some whether you visit in winter or summer (though obviously summer is a far more comfortable temperature!).
You’ll need to book a place on a boat tour in advance; the main companies are Beans, Bishops, and Temples (all offer similar excursions, see websites for details); the boats take you out around the spit for maximum seal viewing, and then you’re given time to wander around the shingled outcrop (though there isn’t much to see apart from a small National Trust owned hut and some private holiday homes), but really, it’s all about the seals and the other wildlife that inhabit this untamed bit of coastline.
4. Hastings
Hastings, Sussex: Hastings is not where the battle of 1066 took place (that would be in nearby Battle, which is inland), but that’s ok, because they have a funicular (actually, two funiculars!). I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks these cliff railways are great fun, and the ones here not only offer fabulous views upon reaching the top, but also provide access to Hastings Castle, and St. Clement’s Caves, which houses the quite cheesy looking Smugglar’s Adventure.
Hastings also has a number of small, free museums located within the attractive Old Town, like the Shipwreck Heritage Centre, Fisherman’s Museum (which is dominated by a replica ship), Town Hall Museum, and the intriguing Flowermaker’s Museum (which was a surprisingly dangerous craft in Victorian times, as the leaves were dyed green with arsenic – I assume the factory is a much safer place today!).
5. Bude
Bude, Cornwall: Bude straddles the border between North Devon and Cornwall, and has a magnificent sandy beach, and often, warm water (unusual indeed in England). While the beach itself is lovely, there’s plenty more to do in the surrounding countryside, including a few particularly eclectic attractions.
The Gnome Reserve is run by an eccentric lady with a passion for these mythical creatures, and you can explore her gnome collection (arranged in amusing tableaux) and a pixie garden, all in a beautiful setting, and wearing the obligatory gnome hat. There’s also the Big Sheep, a sheep themed amusement park, which can be perhaps be skipped unless you REALLY like sheep, but you’re additionally only an hour away from the famous Eden Project, which has a more wide-ranging appeal.
6. Portsmouth
Portsmouth, Hampshire: Portsmouth doesn’t really offer the full-on pier/pleasure beach experience (for that, head to neighbouring Southsea, which is also where the hovercrafts leave for the Isle of Wight), but it does have plenty to do. You can head up the iconic Spinnaker Tower for views of the city, or to one of the military museums, like the D-Day Museum (especially relevant this year as it’s the 70th anniversary), but I also love the Historic Dockyards, where Nelson’s HMS Victory is dry-docked. As if touring this wonderfully important ship isn’t enough, the Dockyards also have the Mary Rose museum, where you can see artefacts and a large section of the Tudor ship that sank just off the harbour, and was found amazingly preserved at the bottom of the sea some 400 years later.
7. Brighton
Brighton, Sussex: Brighton is a notorious daytrip destination for stag parties and hen dos alike, being only an hour outside of London. However, if you visit in the daytime, before the place gets too crazy, there’s lots to see and do (and eat!). I wouldn’t say Brighton’s beach is the greatest, as it’s so rocky, but the Victorian-era pier is still going strong, and is a good place to get a taste of the modern British seaside.
Brighton is a very tolerant city, and thus is home to a thriving gay community, plenty of tattoo parlours, and loads of vegetarian and vegan cafes. The food scene in general is strong here, and wandering around the independent boutiques and antique shops of the narrow Lanes will offer many opportunities for snacking (I especially love the ice cream at Scoop and Crumb, near the seafront). Brighton also has a small local museum, and the fabulously flamboyant oriental-themed Royal Pavilion, designed for George IV.
8. Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis, Dorset: For fossils and other geological fun, try Lyme Regis on the south coast of England. It was here that Mary Anning famously discovered some of the first dinosaur fossils, and this whole area is today known as the “Jurassic Coast” thanks to its superb fossil record. In addition to the fossils, Lyme Regis is also where the manufacturer of Coade Stone was from (Coade stone is an artificial stone that was a favourite building material for Victorians, as it was one of the few materials (in addition to brick) that could withstand the coal smoke and smoggy environs of London), so there is a large chunk of Coade stone set with ammonites outside one of the local natural history focused museums to commemorate this (you can see real ammonites in the surrounding cliffs).
9. Whitstable, Kent
Whitstable, Kent: What might at first seem like a fairly generic Kentish seaside town hides a secret behind the picturesque brightly painted beach cottages, in its alleyways. For, these little streets have hilarious names, like Squeezegut Alley, and Bogshole Lane. The photo ops alone are pretty great, and Whitstable is just large enough to have everything else you want at the seaside – a solid chippy, and a tasty, local ice cream parlour. It might not be the most exciting town on this list, but I’ve always had a perfectly nice day out here.
10. Whitby Abbey
Whitby, Yorkshire: Thanks to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Whitby has a reputation for being a dark and sinister place. Goths flock here in droves to soak up the atmosphere that clings to the ruined Abbey on the hill, and the local entrepreneurs capitalise on this. Thus, Whitby is sort of a seaside town-cum-haunted house, that maintains a Halloweeny vibe year round. No cheesy touch that might appeal to tourists is overlooked here – from the lame “Dracula’s Castle” right down to “Bram-bleberry Stoker” ice cream (which is actually quite nice). If spooky stuff isn’t really your thing, try nearby Robin Hood’s Bay, which is a charming, well-preserved Victorian town, overlooking a pristine bit of the “Dinosaur Coast.”
Since the sea has historically been such an important part of England’s culture, I really think any visit here should include at least one seaside stop – if not for the history, then at least for some fish and chips and an ice cream! There are so many other fabulous places that I didn’t have room to mention here, but I hope my list is a good starting point to planning a day at the coast!
Jessica is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, but has spent the past five years living in London with her British boyfriend. She says hi to the statue of Samuel Johnson every time she’s on Fleet Street, and sometimes feels like she knows the Georgians better than her actual contemporaries. She loves history, ice cream, and travelling, so when she’s not busy reading or baking, she’s out visiting museums and blogging about them over at Diverting Journeys.